Basketball Legends: Strikers Are King

After completing their second back-to-back schedule this season, the Pacers got a full day of rest before heading to Philadelphia to challenge their next opponent.

Looking at the several main players who were already extremely tired, Vogel thought about it all night, and still said to everyone during training the next day:

"I have decided that Hill and Granger will not play in tomorrow's game."

Hill was born in the Spurs and has long been accustomed to taking various breaks. On the contrary, Granger hesitated for a while and said nothing.

After the game against the 76ers on January 10, the next game will be on January 12, when the Pacers will face the Hawks at home.

Resting Hill and Granger in this game can give them up to 3 days of rest.

Sure enough, after Vogel's training, Granger found the head coach and asked:

"Coach, my condition is fine, why do I have to take a break so early?"

"My brothers need me. I can't sit on the bench and watch them play. I have to play anyway!"

Vogel listened quietly to Granger's impassioned speech, and then replied:

"I have said it before the regular season. This year's schedule is tight, and I must be responsible for your health."

Seeing that Granger wanted to speak, Vogel interrupted him and said:

"Let you rest, on the one hand, because the opponent is not strong, and on the other hand, it is also to prepare for the next game!"

"Why?"

Granger didn't understand, so Vogel explained to him:

"Last season, the Hawks ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference, and even sent Howard of the Magic home in the playoffs. Their strength should not be underestimated."

"In addition to the previous two days of games, they won the Heat and Bulls consecutively. If we want to reach the Eastern Conference finals, we have to know the strength gap with these second-round teams in the playoffs."

"This is why I hope you can concentrate on preparing for the game against the Eagles on the 12th."

Granger grabbed the conversation and said:

"But the 76ers were seventh in the Eastern Conference last season and are not weak. I will finish the game tomorrow and it will not affect..."

"Is it really not affected?"

Vogel stared at Granger closely and said:

"How are you doing recently? Do you really not know?"

Granger closed his mouth.

In the disastrous defeat to the Heat, as the team leader, he was beaten by his opponent James, making 2 of 13 shots from the field;

Although he won the game against the Celtics, he only made 3 of 14 shots;

In back-to-back games against the Bobcats, Granger only made 4 of 12 shots from the field, a horribly low shooting percentage.

"I see."

Granger nodded and finally agreed to the coach's arrangement.

"I will give my best in the game against the Eagles."

"That's right."

Vogel nodded with satisfaction.

On the other side, assistant coach Brian Shaw looked at Qi Tian who was resting.

"It's past break time?"

Qi Tian was shocked, threw away the towel in his hand, stood up, and prepared for training.

"That's not true."

Brian Xiao didn't expect him to be so sincere, so he pressed him down again, and then said:

"Tomorrow's game against Philadelphia, Danny and Hill won't be playing. This is an opportunity for you and Lance, you must seize it."

Brian Shaw turned his head and looked at George, who was practicing shooting, and said:

"Paul has entered the starting lineup. You and Lance should also keep up with him and don't be left too far behind."

"But tomorrow's 76ers are quite strong, right?"

Qi Tian said somewhat unconfidently.

"Generally not. Would a player who is stable and abusive be better?"

Brian Shaw explained to him:

"It's important for you to perform against weaker teams;"

"But don't forget, the Pacers have never been a bad team, and our eyes are always set on the playoffs."

"If you don't perform well against strong teams, you probably won't have a chance to play in the playoffs."

He patted Qi Tian on the shoulder and said:

"You train very hard, and all our coaches see it, but in the end, the players still have to rely on their performance on the field to speak for themselves."

"Tomorrow is your best chance."

"I see."

Qi Tian stood up and slowly walked to the court.

"I will give my best in the game against the 76ers."

"That's right."

Brian Shaw nodded with satisfaction.

…

Arriving at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia and seeing the opponent's lineup, Qi Tian immediately knew why the 76ers were able to make the playoffs.

After losing AI, they strengthened Andre Iguodala, whose initials are also AI, and formed a solid lineup.

Starting point guard Jrue Holiday, shooting guard Judy Meeks, starting power forward Captain Brand, starting center Hawes, on the bench there are Lou Williams, Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young and others, 2011

In the 2016 draft, the 76ers also selected Vucevic.

"This is a squad full of quality players,"

Qi Tian murmured to himself:

"All we need is a big brother to take the lead."

It's a pity that Iguodala, who is all-around, is very much like the man next to Jordan - Pippen, and Iguodala's leadership ability is the same as Pi'er - more than enough for the playoffs.

Not enough to win the championship.

This showdown between playoff-level teams attracted a lot of attention, and the league, with its accurate premonitions, had made arrangements early - it would be broadcast live across the United States.

As Qi Tian gradually entered the rotation, the Pacers' games also attracted fans from across the ocean.

They sat down early, waiting for the game to start in front of the TV or computer screen.

"Have you heard that Granger is on a truce? I wonder if the Monkey King has a chance to start."

As soon as Hu Yingzhe sat down, he heard the emotion of his friend Yu Guohao.

"That's enough. Didn't the Monkey King play small forward? He was at most George's substitute."

Hu Yingzhe replied.

Although Sun Yue's nickname is "The Great Sage", when a Chinese named "Qi Tian" entered the NBA, the nickname "The Great Sage" decisively changed hands. Some humorous fans directly gave Sun Yue the nickname "The Great Sage".

The nickname "Peace" is obviously a play on Sun Yue, who sings "I wish you peace" with the same name.

"Don't you know?"

Yu Guohao proudly explained to his friend:

"In the past few games, Monkey King and George played at the same time, swinging to the shooting guard position. Now starting as a shooting guard, there should be no problem."

Hu Yingzhe curled his lips, how could it be so easy to change positions? Fortunately, the game was about to start, so he stopped thinking about arguing with Yu Guohao.

The game is about to start, and the referee signals the starting lineups of both sides.

As expected, Vogel sent out a lineup of Collison, Duntay Jones, George, West and Hibbert.

"Dudududu!"